Pruning-knife



(No Model.) I

L. H. SHOLDER.

' PRUNING'KNIFE. No. 400,800. Patented Apr. 2, 1889.

27 J/IJ. fliarna y.

UNITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS H. SHOLDER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PRUNlNG-KNIFE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,800, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed September 10, 1888. Serial No. 285,059 (No model.)

art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Hy invention relates to improvements in corn-cutting knives; and it consists in a knife provided with a wire handle and constructed substantially as shown and described, and particularly pointed out in the claim. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plain side elevation of my improved knife. Fig. 2 is an edge view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the handle; and Fig. 4, a detail of one of the handle-blocks.

In the drawings, A represents the blade of the knife. This blade or cutter is cimetershaped in some particulars, but is purposely made with increasing width from the shank or handle to its outer extremity, and is much the heaviest at said outer extremity to give increased strength and weight at that point, where the strain on the cutter comes in work, and where weight materially contributes to the effectiveness in the blow for severing the stalks. Bot-h edges a b of the blade are sharpened, the vedge a being slightly convex in outline and the edge I) concave in outline,

and both terminating in a straight or square outer edge, 0. It will be observed that the edge I), while it is concave in curvature, runs down rather abruptlyfrom 2 to point 3. This is to enable the user to give somewhat of a drawing out in the after part of the blow, which with some is regarded as a very material advantage in a knife of this kind, and those persons will not use a knife that does not possess this peculiar merit. Others again are prejudiced against this form of blade, and will use none that has not the convex edge, as shown at a. I have therefore conceived the idea of embodying the two principles of construction in a single blade, and thereby providing a knife which is adapted to the These knives,

choice of either class of users.

advantage practically of combining two tools in one, and both demands for the two different kinds of cutters are supplied in the single cutter thus offered. This works material economy and advantage to the consumer, and enables the trade to carry a single line of goods to meet all demands for what would otherwise be two lines and wholly different articles.

Another improved feature of my cutter lies in the construction of the handle D. This handle, it will be seen, is essentially a wire handle, or a handle closely and firmly wrapped with wire, cl. The outline of the shank of the handle, which is an extension of the blade material, is shown in Fig. l, where it is seen to havea swell at the center cl and an enlargement at the end (1 adapting the shape to the needs of the hand for gripping and controlling the blade, and at the same time serving to prevent the wire from stripping off. Body is given to the handle along about its center, on either side of the shank, by means of blocks 6, tapered from their middle toward both ends, and forming a support as well for the wire covering with which they are entwined. Ahandle thus made will stand any amount of the hardest usage without danger of injury. broken or otherwise damaged, and the surface is just rough enough, by reason of the wire ribs, to form a good hold for the hand, while it is not so rough or uneven as to injure the hand.

Altogether a very greatly improved implement for cutting corn is produced by this construction, and advantages are combined which are not possessed by other devices or cutters in existence.

Having thus described my invention, what I It cannot be split or IOO claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters the covering of the handle, snbstmrtinlly as Patent, is set forth. 10

A cutter-blame having 2L hztndle provided In testimony whereof I hereunto set my with a piece at either side, which is highest hand this 3d day of September, A. D. 1888. 5 at its center and inclines toward each ex- LOUIS II. SIIOYLDER.

tremity, whereby a swell is formed centrally lVitnesses: in the handle, in combination with wire IRENE COREY,

wram iing about the shank and piece to form M. M. MONROE. 

